WASHINGTON, D. C. – U.S. Sen. Jon Husted delivered sharp criticism of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during a Senate hearing Wednesday, arguing that the agency’s pandemic guidance was driven by politics rather than science and has caused lasting harm to America’s children.
The hearing featured testimony from former CDC Director Susan Monarez, who was fired after 29 days in office following disputes with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccine policy changes. Monarez told senators that Kennedy had demanded that she pre-approve changes to childhood vaccination schedules without reviewing scientific evidence first.
Husted’s Critique of Pandemic Response
Speaking to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Husted drew on his experience as lieutenant governor during the pandemic to condemn what he characterized as the CDC’s politically motivated decisions.
“Everybody kept saying it’s based on the science, and yet we know that now that that guidance was based on politics and special interests,” said Husted. “Instead of safeguarding children’s health, CDC allowed activism to override science with devastating consequences.”
The Columbus-area Republican cited specific examples of what he viewed as political interference, including findings by the House Oversight Committee that the CDC allowed the American Federation of Teachers to edit school reopening guidance. He argued this led to prolonged school closures that harmed students academically and emotionally.
Husted pointed to reduced student test scores during the pandemic, as well as projections that the learning losses could reduce lifetime earnings for affected students. He also highlighted mental health impacts, noting that suicide attempts by girls aged 12-17 rose by 51% during the pandemic period.
Current Vaccine Policy Debate
During questioning of Monarez, Husted pressed her on current vaccine guidance, asking whether parents of healthy school-aged children would be “endangering the lives of their healthy children” if they don’t get them vaccinated for COVID-19.
When Monarez responded that parents should consult with pediatricians about benefits and risks, Husted pushed back on what he characterized as an overstatement in public health messaging.
“There are good reasons for doing it, and we should tell them that, but we shouldn’t scare people in saying that we’re endangering their lives, because I hear that all the time, and it’s just an overstatement,” Husted said of vaccination recommendations. “We got to start leveling with people about what the truth is.”
The hearing centered on Monarez’s brief tenure as CDC director and her conflicts with Kennedy over vaccine policy.
Monarez testified that Kennedy told her the childhood vaccination schedule would change in September and demanded that she commit to approving changes without reviewing scientific evidence. She said Kennedy also directed her to fire career officials and ensure that political staff approved policy decisions.
The committee’s chair, Republican U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, questioned how someone confirmed unanimously by Republicans could be fired after just 29 days. Democrats, meanwhile, raised concerns about Kennedy’s apparent predetermined outcomes for vaccine policy decisions.
Husted concluded his remarks by calling for restoration of the CDC’s core mission based on evidence rather than ideology.
“We must never again allow political influence to dictate the decisions of our children’s health, education and future, whether that’s with pandemics or vaccines,” he said.